Proverbs

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The Proverbs, chapter 22, New English Translation and King James Version

Chapter 22

New English Translation

1 A good name is to be chosen rather than great wealth, good favor more than silver or gold. 2 The rich and the poor meet together; the LORD is the creator of them both. 3 A shrewd person sees danger and hides himself, but the naive keep right on going and suffer for it. 4 The reward for humility and fearing the LORD is riches and honor and life. 5 Thorns and snares are in the path of the perverse, but the one who guards himself keeps far from them. 6 Train a child in the way that he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. 7 The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. 8 The one who sows iniquity will reap trouble, and the rod of his fury will end. 9 A generous person will be blessed, for he gives some of his food to the poor. 10 Drive out the scorner and contention will leave; strife and insults will cease. 11 The one who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious - the king will be his friend. 12 The eyes of the LORD guard knowledge, but he overthrows the words of the faithless person. 13 The sluggard says, "There is a lion outside! I will be killed in the middle of the streets!"14 The mouth of an adulteress is like a deep pit; the one against whom the LORD is angry will fall into it. 15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him. 16 The one who oppresses the poor to increase his own gain and the one who gives to the rich - both end up only in poverty. The Sayings of the Wise17 Incline your ear and listen to the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my instruction. 18 For it is pleasing if you keep these sayings within you, and they are ready on your lips. 19 So that your confidence may be in the LORD, I am making them known to you today - even you. 20 Have I not written thirty sayings for you, sayings of counsel and knowledge, 21 to show you true and reliable words, so that you may give accurate answers to those who sent you? 22 Do not exploit a poor person because he is poor and do not crush the needy in court, 23 for the LORD will plead their case and will rob those who are robbing them. 24 Do not make friends with an angry person, and do not associate with a wrathful person, 25 lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare. 26 Do not be one who strikes hands in pledge or who puts up security for debts. 27 If you do not have enough to pay, your bed will be taken right out from under you! 28 Do not move an ancient boundary stone which was put in place by your ancestors. 29 Do you see a person skilled in his work? He will take his position before kings; he will not take his position before obscure people.

King James Version

1 A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.2 The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.3 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.4 By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them.6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.7 The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.8 He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.9 He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.10 Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.11 He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.12 The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor.13 The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.14 The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein.15 Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.16 He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.17 Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.18 For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.19 That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.20 Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge,21 That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?22 Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:23 For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.24 Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:25 Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.26 Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts.27 If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?28 Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.29 Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.